Folding pedal for pianolas.



PATENTED AUG. 2, 1904.

M. S. WRIGHT.

FOLDING PEDAL FOR PIANOLAS.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 8, 1902.

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fizzcvrnsy UNIT D I STATES Patented August 2, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

FOLDING PEDAL FOR PIANOLAS."

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 766,312, dated August 2, 1904. Application filed July 8, 1902. Serial No. 114,726. (No model.)

- To all whom it may concern.-

Be itknown that I, MoRRIs S. WRIGHT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Worcester, in the county of Worcester and- Commonwealt vented anew and useful Improvement in Fold-4 of Massachusetts, have ining Pedals for .Pianolas, of which the following is a specification, accompanied by drawings, forming a part of the same, in which- Figure 1 is a view in section through the frame of the pianola, showing my improved pedal in elevation, in full lines in operative position,-and in dotted lines to indicate its position when folded or collapsed, dotted lines also indicating the expanded position of the feeder. Fig. 2 is a view in front elevation. Fig. 3 is a perspective View of one of the pedals looking from beneath.

Similar reference-figures refer to similar parts in the different views.

The object of this invention is to provide means for folding and inclosing the pedals into compact space within the frame of the instrument without the necessityof having a large opening in the outer face of the pianola for that purpose, provision being made by my invention for the withdrawal of the pedals approximately in a'straight inward direction without any appreciable upward movement, which in other-pedals capable of being collapsed into the frame isaccomplished by,

a vertical motion, as well as horizontal, necessitating a large opening in the front of the frame therefor, which opening is unsightly and objectionable and in my invention rendered unnecessary.

With this object in view my invention consists in jointed mechanism so arranged and devised that the normal position of the pedals is practically preserved whether in their outward or collapsed position, and I contemplate such an arrangement of parts that this collapse may bereadily effected by the oper ator simply pushing the pedal mechanism in with the toe, after which-it may be drawn outward when desired in the same manner,

and to facilitate this action of course regard is had to the weight and proportions and balancing of different parts of the mechanism, so as to make the movement of the folding pedwhich is shown, mounted after the usual fash-.

ion on casters for convenience.

2 denotes the bellows-frame,which of course is stationary, and 3 represents the feeder hinged at its upper end thereto in the usual manner, although not shown; and adapted to swing through an area indicated by the dotted lines at the right-hand end of Fig. 1. A bracket 4 is attached to this feeder. its lower end reaching forwardly, as indicated, and provided at its end with abearing 5. The pedalframe is made'in two parts 6 and 7, the part 6 being screwed, bolted, or otherwise secured to the bottom of the case a suitable distance from its outer edge, as indicated in Fig. 1, and the other part, 7, is movable and is adapted to slide in and out and when in its outer position to rest upon a foot 8, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2. To this movable section 7 of the frame the pedal 9 is hinged, as indicated,

ears 11 11. The upper end ofthe pedal is supported at each side by means of connecting-rods 12 12, pivoted at their upper ends, as at 13, to the ears 14 14 and at their lower ends in the bearings 5 5 of the brackets 4 4. So much of the mechanism is suflicient for the usual operation of the pedal. Co6perat ing with it, however, is a pair of toggle-joints 15 15, one on either side. These toggle-joints are secured at their outer ends to section 7 of the frame and pivotally connected at their inner ends, as at 16, to the stationary framesection 6. These togglejoints are soconstructed and arranged that they form a lock by gravity, which retains the outer movable section 7 ofthe frame in the normal -po*ition. (Indicated in Fig. 1.) When the peda s are folded, the joint of the toggle readily breaks, and the, joint folds into the colla sed position, (indicated in the dotted lines in Fig. 1,) the section 7 taking a quarter-turn, as indicated in that figure, owing to the fact that the togglejoint is rigidly s uredto it'andngt pivoted.-

Ice

' invention, and hence i do not wish to be hm- Lit by the diagonal dotted lines when pushed inwardly, and the connecting-r0 s 12 12 assume an approximately vertical position, as therein indicated, and to insure this collapse a rest 15 is adapted to limit the downwar movement of the toggle-joint to prevent dropping into alinementor eneath adead-center, as in that position it could not readily be collapsed.

As alluded to inthe statement of the purposes of the invention, thevarious parts may be so weighted and proportioned as to balance and counterbalance one another as nearly as possible, and in this way the control of the position of the pedals is made perfectly easy.

; It willlilrewise be understood that the conthat there is no tendency of struction is snc the pedals to push inward when in operation,

as it requires an application of pressure upon the frame-section 7 direct and with an inwarr and slightly upward motion to fold the pedals.

dlight alterations in the form and dimension, as well as arrangement, of the several parts described may of course be made without departingjfrom the spirit and scope of my ited to the precise construction set forth.

What 1 claim as my invention,and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination with a case, abellows- Irame and feeder-supported therein, of atoldwith ing edal pivotally connected at one end said feeder, and a pair of toggle-joints 15, 15 pivotaily connecting the opposite end of said pedal with said case, said toggle-joints being pivoted together, substantially as described.

2. A folding pedalcornprising two framesections one stationary and the other movable,

the pedal hinged to the latter, and the two connected together by toggle-joints whereby an inward application of pressure upon the pedal will fold the joint and permit the movable section with the attached pedal to move inwardly.

3. The combination with a bellows-feeder,

a pedal and connecting-rods extending from comprising a stationary and and toggleoints connecting them together,-

the-pedal to the bellows, of a collapsible frame comprising a stationary and movable section, the pedal hinged to the latter and a togglejoint rigidly secured to the movable section and pivoted to the stationary section, and constructed and adapted to fold in response to an inward movement of the movable sectionof the frame.

4. The combination with a bellows-feeder, a bracket secured thereto, a hinged pedal and a connecting-rod pivoted to the pedal and bracket, of a folding or collapsible frame movable section the toggle-joints pivoted to the stationary section and secured rigidly to the movable section, and means for preventing the toggle- 6. A folding pedal normally held in an inclined position, a movable trame pivotally connected with the lower end of said pe al, toggle-joint links pivotally connecting sai movable frame with a fixed point, frame and feeder, upwardly-projecting brackets attached to said pedal at its upper end an links pivotally connecting said brackets With said feeder, substantially as described. Dated this 1st day of July, 1902.

i. MORRIS S. WRIGHT.

Witnesses:

RUFUS B. FOWLER, VnRNoN E. Houses.

of a

and toggle-j iints a bellows 

